Stories from Thursday, June 28, 2012

BEAT THE HEAT!(06/28/12)The summer temperatures are high and the main focus is to stay cool which is exactly what four-year-old Ian Henson is doing with his inflatable seadoo at the Monett City Park pool. Henson is from Reed Springs and is spending the week with his grandmother, Wanda Cooper, of Pierce City. [Times Photo by Lisa Craft]...

Barry County Fair is this weekend(06/28/12)This weekend, area community members will have the opportunity to support local agriculture students by attending the 2012 Barry County Fair at Rockin' P Ranch Rodeo Arena on Highway W in Wheaton. Over 90 participants have registered over 240 entries for this year's fair...

City crews complete numerous construction projects(06/28/12)Monett city crews have worked on a variety of projects during the past month, according to reports shared at the Monett City Council meeting on June 20. Street and parks superintendent Russ Balmas said he has received positive comments on the recently constructed picnic pavilion at North Park, placed on the site of the old basketball court. The new basketball court has received considerable play, even more use of late than the skate park, Balmas said...

Preparations complete for Freistatt Picnic July 6(06/28/12)Plans are complete for the 122nd annual Trinity Lutheran Church Picnic in Freistatt. The event will take place on Friday, July 6, on the grounds of Trinity Lutheran School, west of the church. "There will be a lot of fun and fellowship," said Desa Mattlage, secretary/ treasurer of the picnic committee...

Chamber partners with Career Readiness Program(06/28/12)New programs for the Monett Chamber of Commerce were discussed during the May and June meetings of the chamber board of directors. The chamber cookbook will return this fall with a another batch of favorite recipes from the community. Local residents and restaurants are invited to share how to make some of their best dishes. Ethnic dishes will be welcome as well. Submissions should be taken to the chamber office at 200 E. Broadway...

News in Brief(06/28/12)Mocha Jo's at 404 E. Broadway in Monett will be closed on Saturdays during July and August. The coffee shop will be closed on Wednesday, July 4. The regular weekly luncheon at Tom Wolfe Memorial Post #4207, VFW, will not be held on Wednesday, July 4. The next luncheon will be on Wednesday, July 18...

CELEBRATES 35 YEARS(06/28/12)Randy Branum, a life long resident of Monett, celebrated 35 years with UMB Bank, of Monett, on June 22. A reception was held at the Kyler location to honor the occasion. Branum is a 1975 graduate of Monett High School and son of Bill and Berniece Branum, of Monett. ...

Fireworks, opera, music shows slated this week(06/28/12)This week in Monett: At Mocha Jo's, 404 E, Broadway, Sister Mountain Brother Sea performs at 7 p.m. on Friday. At Denali Dreams, 316 E., Broadway, singer songwriter Angela Bennett plays at 7 p.m. on Friday. This week in Springfield: Missouri State University's Tent Theatre presents a female version of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" on Saturday, with a male version on Friday. ...

Teen Mom Program receives grant Kornerstone to add doula services for pregnant teens(06/28/12)Kornerstone Teen Mom Program of Barry County has been awarded a $28,817 General Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention grant from the Children's Trust Fund (CTF), Missouri's Foundation for Child Abuse Prevention. Grant funding is for fiscal year 2013. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to provide such comprehensive services for expectant teens in our area with support from the Children's Trust Fund," said Marlene Whitham, Kornerstone director. ...

ICE CREAM SOCIAL(06/28/12)The New Liberty Methodist Church held its 16th annual ice cream social on June 9. The group enjoyed food and homemade ice cream. Pictured above, from left, are Claudia and Ralph Nolan, of Monett, enjoying the food and entertainment. Gospel groups entertaining those who attended were Room at the Table, of Noel; The Revelators, of Cassville; and Ron Rogers and Gospel Echoes, of Jay, Okla. [Times Photo by Lisa Craft]...

Monett Legion team wins Carthage tournament(06/28/12)Monett's Post #91 defeated Carl Junction Post #781 by a 3-2 count on Saturday to win the 17th annual Carl Junction Post #781 AAA American Legion Baseball Invitational. The Monett team advanced into the title game despite an opening round 4-0 loss to Pittsburg...

Wells claims latemodels victory at Monett(06/28/12)Justin Wells took second place in the first heat of the Race Brothers DLRA division and rallied to take the checkered in the feature during exciting racing action at Monett Speedway Sunday night. The historic track hosted six features in all. Top five finishers in each event are listed below...